Process for the treatment of fibers



iii

Patented May 12, 1931 1, PATENT OFFICE HERIVIAN G. REICHARD, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK PROCESS FOR THE TREATMENT OF FIBERS No Drawing.

My invention relates to bleaching processes and refers particularly to processes for bleaching fur although I wish to be undersfitgod that it is not limited to that particular The bleaching of fur, and other fibers, especially with hydrogen peroxide, possesses many disadvantages among which are the tendering of the fiber; the deterioration of the skin in the case of furs; the inability to produce satisfactory bleached results in many cases; the production of results that are difficult, and in some cases impossible, to dye, and the production of skins differing in their quality and properties from the original skins.

The process of my invention overcomes all of the above and other difficulties and presents a means whereby improved and move valuable results can be produced than by the present known processes.

My process comprises treating the fiber with a non-reducing agent preliminary to bleaching and then bleaching, preferably with hydrogen peroxide in the presenceof an alkali.

I am aware that it has been proposed to give the fiber a preliminary treatment with a reducing agent, such as a ferrous salt and then bleaching with hydrogen peroxide in an acid or neutral solution, but the results thus produced have the disadvantages and objectionable features mentioned above, all of which are eliminated by my process.

I have further found that much superior results are obtained if the fiber be impregnated with the non-reducing compound than are obtained by converting the corresponding reducing compound into its non-reducing compound in the bleaching bath.

I have found specifically that superior results are obtained by treating the fiber with ferric chloride before its entry into the bleaching bath than are obtained by treating the fiber in a bleaching bath containing feri ous chloride and an agent which will convert it into ferric chloride.

I have further found that bleaching 1n an alkaline hydrogen peroxide bath produces much more valuable results than are obtained Serial No. 385,064.

by bleaching in an acid or neutral hydrogen peroxide bath.

WVhile various ferric compounds can be The skin is allowed to remain in this sol /cu...

tion for about twelve hours, removed,.hydroextracted and immersed into ail-v6 percent solution of hydrogen peroxide containing four pounds potassium carbonate, one pound s dium pyrpphosphate and ten pounds amm 0m monlum 9111011011 to one hundred gallons waterY The skin is allowed to remain in this bath until it is bleached, generally about three hours, removed, hydro-extracted, washed and dried.

If it is desirable to remove the iron salt from the mate-rial, this can be accomplished by washing it with a weak solution of acid,

preferably containing sodium chloride.

, While it is not essential to employ sodium chloride, or a similar compound, with the ferric chloride, I prefer to use it as it reduces the swelling of the skin probably due to the hydrochloric acid formed by the hydrolysis of the ferric chloride.

Neither is the presence of sodium pyrophosphate and ammonium chloride essential in the bleaching bath, but I prefer to use them, as the sodium pyrophosphate somewhat retards the action of the hydrogen peroxide and the ammonium chloride produces an ammoniacal solution.

Non-reducing agents other than ferric chloride and alkalis other than potassium carbonate can be employed in my process, these being specifically stated in order to exemplify my process.

Bleaching agents other than the mentioned hydrogen peroxide may be employed.

By fibers in my specification and claims I refer particularly to animal fibers and especially to furs.

I do not limit myself to the particular chemicals, quantities, times, temperatures or steps of procedure specifically mentioned, as these are given simply as a means for describing the process of my invention.

hat I claim is 1. In a process for the treatment of fibers, the steps which include treating the fiber with a ferric compound and then submitting the thus treated fiber to a bleaching process.

2. In a process for the treatment of fibers, the steps which include treating the fiber with ferric chloride and then submitting the thus treated fiber to a bleaching process.

3. In a process for the treatment of fibers, the steps which include treating the fiber with a ferric compound and then bleaching the thus treated fiber by means of a peroxide.

4.. In a process for the treatment of fibers, the steps which include treating the fiber with ferric chloride and then bleaching the thus treated fiber by means of a peroxide.

5. In a process for the treatment of fibers, the steps which include treating the fiber with a ferric compound and then bleaching the thus treated fiber by means of hydrogen peroxide.

6. In a process for the treatment of fibers, the steps which include treating the fiber with ferric chloride and then bleaching the thus treated fiber by means of hydrogen peroxide.

7. In a process for the treatment of fiber, the steps which include treating the fiber with a ferric compound and then bleaching the thus treated fiber by means of a peroxide in an alkaline solution.

8. In a process for the treatment of fiber, the steps which include treating the fiber with ferric chloride and then bleaching the thus treated fiber by means of a peroxide in an alkaline solution.

9. In a process for the treatment of fiber, the steps which include treating the fiber with a ferric compound and then bleaching the thus treated fiber by means of hydrogen peroxide in an alkaline solution.

10. In a process for the treatment of fibers, the steps which include treating the fiber with ferric chloride and then bleaching the thus treated fiber by means of hydrogen peroxide in an alkaline solution.

Signed at Scarsdale in the county of Westchester and State of New York this first day of August, 1929.

HERMAN G. REICHARD. 

